Dekeing Tips From Ryan Getzlaf

advanced dekeing

Not really. I tend to go to my backhand more than anything, especially when going up against the goalie. It just makes for a harder shot for the goalie to read.

What is the best way to get around a physically imposing defender?

It all depends who it is. Your best bet now is to probably try and make one move and then go wide and see if you can get around him that way.

If you were going up against someone like Dion Phaneuf from the Calgary Flames, what would you do?

Chances are I would come in starting from the outside and then cut back to the middle to put myself in the shooting position.

Is that also the best thing to do if you’re bringing the puck into the other team’s zone?

Most likely. A lot of times you just gotta drive wide and try to get the puck to the net; that’s just the way the game is. If I’m coming down and it’s just me and the defenseman and I’m gonna try and make a move, I’ll either try and go under his stick or pull it around his stick and try and get him to commit to something.

What’s your favorite move when trying to deke out a goalie on a breakaway?

Probably to do a fake shot, go to my backhand, then either shoot five-hole or go up high.

nhl all-star breakaway challenge

If you could put together your own NHL All-Star lineup, who would you choose?

They did a pretty good job picking goalies for this year’s All-Star Game, but I would go with Roberto Luongo from the Vancouver Canucks. My two defensemen... I don’t know; this is a tough decision. The selections are endless... probably Dan Boyle from the San Jose Sharks and Scott Niedermayer from the Anaheim Ducks. For my two forwards I'd go with Jarome Iginla from the Calgary Flames and Alexander Ovechkin from the Washington Capitals.

I’ve been working on it, we’ll see. Can’t let the secrets out before the challenge though.

Get a preview of the Breakaway Challenge and watch Alexander Ovechkin and Ryan Getzlaf practice their breakaway moves.

The 2009 Honda/NHL SuperSkill, including the Scotiabank NHL Fan Fav Breakaway Challenge will air Saturday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. ET on VERSUS in the U.S. and on CBC and RDS in Canada. Fans at home and in the arena will choose the winner of one of the competitions via text messaging powered by NHL partner Telescope, Inc. Voting will begin as soon as the last Breakaway Challenge competitor completes his routine, and fans will be able to cast one text message vote per mobile phone.